Planes will be popping out of screens in Japan this month as Sony is launching the country's first 3D television series, a drama about air traffic controllers dubbed "Tokyo Control."

Sony supplied the 3D technical support for the 10-episode series, which is produced by Fuji TV. It's set to debut on satellite broadcaster SkyPerfecTV's 3D channel on January 19.

Starring Ayako Kawahara and Saburo Tokito, the show will include 3D scenes such as a staffer at the Tokyo Air Traffic Control Center imagining dozens of small planes all around her as she works.

Director Gaku Narita apparently traveled to Hollywood to consult with production staff from James Cameron's "Avatar" before shooting began.

While 3D technology had another big CES showing this year and parts of the World Cup have been aired in 3D, "Tokyo Control" will be the first 3D TV series. It will only be available to about 391,000 subscribers to SkyPerfecTV's high-def service; only some of them have 3D televisions.

"The 3D era began last year, and this year is its development phase," Akira Shimazu, Sony's senior manager in charge of 3D projects, was quoted by The Wall Street Journal as saying.